A case can be made that emotional stimulus is at the root of all poetry, and poems of emotion are all that there are. Whether the subject is life, physical love, spiritual connection with a deity or another human being, or war, people have always tried to immortalize events in words, both spoken or written.
Some of the earliest poetry is found in the Bible and other religious books. The Song of Moses celebrates God's deliverance at the Red Sea. The song of Solomon is a paean to human love that is full of spiritual symbolism. David and others wrote the Psalms as cries to the Lord, whether pleas for help or hymns of thanksgiving.
Epic poems were passed orally from one generation to the next. Many were eventually recorded in writing, but more were undoubtedly lost. All people groups have origin stories, tales of heroic deeds, and stories of extraordinary events from their past, and more often than not these are poetic in nature.
Poetry helps us by making great events or even fleeting things memorable. All of us know some poetry, no matter how hard we try to avoid the subject. Everyone knows that the words 'No man is an island' come from some poem or other; no one would try to pass that phrase off as original. 'To be or not to be' is another phrase that resonates down the ages, whether it is on stage or as a playground joke.
This memorable aspect of poetry helps us remember great events and people when dry history lessons have long been forgotten. Paul Revere's ride is a historic event, but the dramatic poem containing the immortal line 'One if by land and two if by sea' is probably what most of us think of first when his name is mentioned. We know he was 'booted and spurred and ready to ride' even if we can't remember the date of that action-filled night.
Poetic accounts of great, passionate love resonate with us because we all have our own love stories. New love, enduring love, and lost love are themes that echo down the ages. Although they are not new, poets seem to find a way to bring them into focus over and over in ways that surprise us with their impact and truth. 'How do I love you? Let me count the ways.' These simple words set a tone of intimacy that affects virtually everyone who lets them resonate in their heart and soul. The effect of poetry on us is amazing and undeniable.
In earlier days, people who had any leisure at all had time for poetry. It was a way to pass the time on a sunny afternoon or by the fireside on a long winter's evening. Now people spend those hours at the computer or in front of the television. However, poetry is still being written and can still enrich our lives, if we allow it a part of our time and attention.
Poems of emotion echo our feelings and show us how to understand them. They comfort the sorrowful, speak to the lonely, inspire both young and old, and give tongue to joy and despair. Time spent in reading or writing poetry is never wasted.
Some of the earliest poetry is found in the Bible and other religious books. The Song of Moses celebrates God's deliverance at the Red Sea. The song of Solomon is a paean to human love that is full of spiritual symbolism. David and others wrote the Psalms as cries to the Lord, whether pleas for help or hymns of thanksgiving.
Epic poems were passed orally from one generation to the next. Many were eventually recorded in writing, but more were undoubtedly lost. All people groups have origin stories, tales of heroic deeds, and stories of extraordinary events from their past, and more often than not these are poetic in nature.
Poetry helps us by making great events or even fleeting things memorable. All of us know some poetry, no matter how hard we try to avoid the subject. Everyone knows that the words 'No man is an island' come from some poem or other; no one would try to pass that phrase off as original. 'To be or not to be' is another phrase that resonates down the ages, whether it is on stage or as a playground joke.
This memorable aspect of poetry helps us remember great events and people when dry history lessons have long been forgotten. Paul Revere's ride is a historic event, but the dramatic poem containing the immortal line 'One if by land and two if by sea' is probably what most of us think of first when his name is mentioned. We know he was 'booted and spurred and ready to ride' even if we can't remember the date of that action-filled night.
Poetic accounts of great, passionate love resonate with us because we all have our own love stories. New love, enduring love, and lost love are themes that echo down the ages. Although they are not new, poets seem to find a way to bring them into focus over and over in ways that surprise us with their impact and truth. 'How do I love you? Let me count the ways.' These simple words set a tone of intimacy that affects virtually everyone who lets them resonate in their heart and soul. The effect of poetry on us is amazing and undeniable.
In earlier days, people who had any leisure at all had time for poetry. It was a way to pass the time on a sunny afternoon or by the fireside on a long winter's evening. Now people spend those hours at the computer or in front of the television. However, poetry is still being written and can still enrich our lives, if we allow it a part of our time and attention.
Poems of emotion echo our feelings and show us how to understand them. They comfort the sorrowful, speak to the lonely, inspire both young and old, and give tongue to joy and despair. Time spent in reading or writing poetry is never wasted.
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